The Greatest Game Show on Earth - Issue 5

Migration review

It’s hot and sunny in the Mara following a bout of rain five days ago. The grass is green with new shoots along the edges of the reserve. This has triggered the grazers to move here from the middle of the reserve, which has not received any rain. The grass here is aged and dry and not palatable for the animals. Dry grass also needs a lot of water to digest. The herds therefore find it easier to move to greener pastures.

Large herds of wildebeest and zebras have crossed Talek River from Rekero camp west of the Mara Intrepids Camp trekking across Rhino Ridge towards Bila Shaka near the Musiara Gate.

It is raining in some areas in the reserve attracting the wildebeest, zebras and gazelles. Many herds are moving towards the Mara River and crossing into the Mara Triangle for the succulent grass. Large herds of zebra are crossing the river. They are well fed and so strong that the crocodiles are finding it difficult to hunt them. Delivering powerful kicks, they are able to make their escape and very few zebra carcasses have been spotted in the river this year.

The wildebeest however prefer to stay dry and grazing. The rutting season is coming to an end though some bulls are still gathering females in their territories. This leads to brief but intense fights between the dominant bulls. Last week we saw two battling males locked in combat with their horns unable to break loose. Finally, the day was saved when the horn of one wildebeest broke.

Big cats sightings

Lions

The Olkiombo Pride is back at its favorite migration corridor that links Topi Plains to Paradise Crossing. There is a lot of action here with the lions easily hunting the wildebeest and zebras.

The three males of the Olkiombo Pride are still together and have taken over the Maji ya Fisi Pride. This pride has cubs of different ages ranging between six and 14 months.

The Olkeju-Ronkai Pride is also together with its two males, five females and seven cubs occupying the plains between Lookout Hill and Intrepid Camp.

The Paradise Pride is in the Chemorta area that is between the Mara River and Paradise Plains where the big herds are moving. The pride is very busy with lots of prey to hunt. One female is mating with the male called Notch.



Leopards

Olive's sons, Pacha and Kayioni, are 13 months old. The Ridge male who is the father of the cubs, is with them. Pacha was seen devouring a wildebeest under the croton bush. He is shy of the Ridge male. Olive, perched on the leopard tree just watches the two eyeing each other.

On the other hand, a Lerai cub has being seen for more than two days without its mother at Ntiakitiak River.


Cheetahs

The three cheetah brothers are roaming between Ntiakitiak River and Talek River waiting for the wildebeest that will be crossing Talek River on their way to the Topi Plains. A female cheetah with two male cubs’ aged nine months is in the same area with the three brothers. Hopefully they will be no territorial disputes.

Paul Kirui, Chief Safari Guide, Heritage Hotels

You can read more on Mara Explorer and Mara Intrepids at http://www.heritage-eastafrica.com/tented-camps/

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